Description

Papaver somniferum ‘Hens & Chickens’ | ‘Opium Poppy’ | Seeds

Papaver somniferum, aka the notorious annual ‘Opium Poppy’, comes in many gorgeous and colourful varieties, of which ‘Hens and Chickens’ is among the most unusual.

Easily grown from seed, somniferum’s large, pale lavender-lilac summer flowers are followed by a distinct seed pod formation, in which several small pods sprout from the base of the usual central pod. This interesting growth pattern, whereby the plant looks like a mother hen surrounded by her chicks, caused the variety’s name, ‘Hens and Chickens’.

There aren’t many species easier to grow than poppies, and this one grows with full and sheltered sun and in clay, chalk, loam or sand – whether acid, alkaline or neutral – provided it’s well-drained.

This seed was freshly sourced from a reputable specialist wholesaler and grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11.

All the seed sold by Arkham’s Botanical was freshly and ethically sourced in 2018